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Michael:
While we wait for Ed Here's my tenative info:
a) The airborne jacket appears to have been adopted in 1970 or 72 with the activation of the SSF. At least that that's what I remember reading through the back issues of Sentinel. What I'm curious about is if the DPM patern is a variant of the original British or is the British pattern
b) Correct the photos I've seen had only the airborne/SSF soldiers wearing them
c) Sorry don't know the answer but wouldn't it've been declared obselete with the adoption of the toute-arme camo?
xavier

There is an annex in a recent Canadian military book called, "Eat Your Weakest Man" by Rui Amaral (ex MWO and as WO was CQ for 2 Cdo in Somalia), published in 2000(?) by Dundurn Press (?). The annex's author was the officer in charge of the design and introduction of the smock in the 1970's. As always, buy the book and support Canadian publishing.

As I recall the smock was almost a private purchase item by the troops out of canteen funds until someone at NDHQ learned of the project. The first plan was to use the same material as the combat jacket, but there wasn't enough fabric available. Instead the supplier had an overrun of British-like DPM from a contract for uniforms for Tanzania. The rest is history.

Terry:
The camouflage pattern is the one that frustrates me the most. Is it British DPM of the early 70's or is it a commercial variation?
Hopefully some ex-paras could enlighten us on this minor subject
xavier

Ed:
Thnkas very much! OK let me ask a question which will drive everyone crazy
Was the DPM pattern a straight copy of the 1970's British original or where there colour and pattern modifications that are sufficently notice=ble?
I've seen some jackets with simply 2 colours:
a sand or yellow kaki with an olive green (or even dark green) pattern. The green pattern look like someone used a very wide brush to paint the cloth.

Ed:
Thnkas very much! OK let me ask a question which will drive everyone crazy
Was the DPM pattern a straight copy of the 1970's British original or where there colour and pattern modifications that are sufficently notice=ble?
I've seen some jackets with simply 2 colours:
a sand or yellow kaki with an olive green (or even dark green) pattern. The green pattern look like someone used a very wide brush to paint the cloth.

xavier

Hi all:
As we're discussing the para jacket, I've always ben curious as to why the paras never adopted camouflage pants?
Is it because
a) The para were satisfied with the jacket?
b) the generals and the politicians freaked out at the thought?
c) No one thought about asking if camo pants could also be part of the uniform?
Thanks!
xavier